A throwback jersey is a sports jersey that replicates the jersey of a team or a player from the past. People often love them because they remind the fan, regardless of age, of the golden age of their favorite time and team. Sports legends are honored with jerseys for the time while they were at their playing prime.

A team throwback jersey reminds the fans of a year or era when their team was on the top of the standings. Buying one for a player who used to play on a particular team but who has since been traded to a different team seems to be especially popular, perhaps because it conjures up a bit of sports nostalgia.

Part of the appeal is the retro look of the jerseys. They are fashioned of the style, design, and color scheme of the team during a particular time period. Their seemingly out-of-fashion look makes them just that — fashionable. The music industry has been partially responsible for the popularity of these jerseys, and many recording artists have worn them on their videos, making them fresh and appealing to the crossover lovers of both music and sports.

Fans can buy one for many different U.S. sports teams or individuals; football, baseball, hockey, and basketball throwback jerseys are especially popular. In addition to jerseys, sports enthusiasts can also buy retro caps, hats, uniforms, and warm up jackets. Sports apparel manufacturers are finding a strong market for throwback merchandise, and by some estimates, as much as 20% of the NBA apparel sales come from its sale.

Besides being trendy, many collectors buy a particularly popular jersey as an investment. Some of the most desirable player or team items cost quite a bit of money, and the expectation is that the market value will continue to climb in the years to come.

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